Danger of head injuries: FIFA and WHO launch awareness campaign

“A concussion is a traumatic brain injury and should always be taken seriously,” said FIFA President Infantino. By knowing the signs of a concussion, being aware of the risks and getting the right treatment, you can help ensure that the safety of the players comes first.

According to WHO Director-General Tedros, concussion is “a common health problem at all levels of football and many other sports that requires increased attention and action.” The campaign will run worldwide on all FIFA channels. The 211 member associations will also receive all the necessary educational materials to disseminate the message.

Dementia, Alzheimer’s, CTE

Concussions are a major risk, especially in contact sports such as boxing, ice hockey, rugby and American football. The issue is also becoming more and more of a focus in football, with some experts calling for a ban on headers. In the USA, headers were already banned in youth sports for players under the age of eleven as a precautionary measure. One of the most sensational concussions in football was suffered by the then German national player Christoph Kramer in the 2014 World Cup final against Argentina.

Proven possible long-term effects of concussions include earlier onset of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease as well as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a progressive degenerative disease of the brain.

This message was broadcast on 19.09.2024 on Deutschlandfunk.